Chapter Six
Beta Posted 07/09/2007
Author's Note
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I took a peek at the manga again and realized... my memory is very fuzzy with the details. So eventually, once everything gets down on paper... or on the net, I'll have to revise and edit a lot of stuff.
- Free Corp Knight -
- - - - - - - - - -
- Chapter 6 -
- - - - - - - - - -
Month: July
Year: 2047
"Noboru!" His mom yelled, gaining his attention. "You forgot this!" She waved at the front door, a cell phone in her hand.
"I don't need it! Just leave it at my desk!" He shouted back. For a moment, he felt guilty as if he was betraying Nagamine. It quickly passed. The firm resolve to forget overpowered the confused feelings in his heart.
"Are you sure?" She asked, her voice sounding surprised by his decision. Not too long ago, he would never leave home without it. But then again, she mused, maybe it was just a passing fad. After all, she had more than a few when she was his age.
"Yes!" Adjusting the strap of his schoolbag, Noboru resumed his trek to Jouhoku. Behind him, his mother vanished back into the house, talking to herself about how fast her son was changing. Like he wanted, the mobile sat on top of the desk, its screen unchanging throughout the day.
- - -
Miwa leaned against the balcony's railing and sighed, a weary expression etched on her face. Outside her office, she could see all twenty-five members of her squad, all in their robots and all... most likely... like her... bored out of their minds. Nursing a cup of tea, she stared at her watch, noting that they had another three hours left. "Ugh... Why me?"
Her orders were simple; have her men (and women) on standby in the event that an emergency should occur. In other words, all pilots would be in their Tracers, unable to leave, until either their shift was over or deployment orders were issued. On the other hand, she was required to be in her office, ready to give further direction. Miwa, like her fellow subordinates, had nothing substantial to do for the time being.
Most of the pilots were smart enough to bring something with them before their duties began. Books, handheld games, and other devices were snuck into the cockpit. Those who got bored often took the second option, a nap. Unfortunately, their commander couldn't do the same. Ignoring dress code is a minor offense compared to being caught sleeping on the job. She knew her limits.
"Bleeeh..." She whined, wishing there was something interesting to do. However, there wasn't. Miwa eventually returned to her desk, finding herself counting the number of dots in the ceiling above. "167... 168..."
- - -
Mikako pulled her knees closer to her body, curling up into the safety of a small ball. Her cheeks had a pinkish hue to them, results of her ongoing talk with Hisa. The older girl got bored and returned to a favorite pastime, gossiping about her supposed boyfriend. It started out with simple harmless questions, from the color of his eyes to where he went to school. Mikako answered most without hesitation but continuously added the reminder that she did not have a boyfriend. Hisa ignored them of course. Among the questions unanswered were his name and residence. She didn't want to give her friend too much information about Noboru, especially if Hisa decides to confront him about their feelings for each other. If Hisa managed to find out who Noboru is, how would she stop her when she lives only a block away from him? Mikako shook her head, clearing her mind of such thoughts. She would deal with that later, after they all get back to Earth.
Eventually, their talk turned into an interrogation. Mikako kept quiet when her questions went to a more personal level. After all the threats and begging, Hisa gained nothing from this new tactic. That didn't stop Mikako from inventing new shades of red when the 15-year-old heard all the suggestions made about their relationship. Blushing madly, she listened as the other girl talked about acts that went beyond hugging and kissing. No girl her age would go that far... or so she believed.
"Mikako, you're no fun..." Hisa said, her voice sounding defeated. "I'm all tired now too." As if to prove her statement, she let out a huge yawn.
"That's your own fault." Mikako replied. "You should take a nap. We still have two hours left."
"I was going to sleep before talking to you... but we got carried away..." Her tired voice came over the private link. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. I'll talk to you later... Bye."
"Bye." Mikako returned. Closing the link, she laid back on her seat and stretched.
"Now what am I going to do now?"
- - -
Ten minutes later, Mikako almost wished that Hisa was back teasing her. With her friend asleep, there was nothing to do. Leaning back to relax, her back settled uncomfortably on a small hard object. A hand reached around and removed the source of irritation. It was her cell phone.
"That's right! Noboru..." She exclaimed, remembering that she brought it aboard so she can write a message. Boredom vanishing, Mikako preoccupied herself with the email.
Noboru,
I am at Pluto, the end of the solar system.
It's been half a year since we left Earth.
She bit her lip. It's been half a year since she last seen Noboru. In the back of her mind, Mikako wondered if he still remembered her...
The Lysithea Armada has continued the Tarsian
survey all the way from Jupiter, but we haven't
found signs of the Tarsians anywhere.
True. Their fleet found no sign of the alien lifeform. However...
Noboro, but in truth, for me, it'd be best if we
don't find anything, and we can come back to
Earth quickly. I...
BEEP!!! Mikako, startled by the sudden noise, dropped the phone. The mobile clattered somewhere below, its message incomplete and unsent. Every system on her Tracer went online, the sudden change calling for her attention. "What's going on?" She wondered, her email forgotten. A robotic voice soon came through, answering her question.
"Tarsians confirmed at 12 o'clock. Distance: 20,000! Tracer squadrons 01-04, prepare for dispatch!"
Tha-thump! The entire Tracer shook suddenly as the lift it was standing on activated. Its movement just proved how serious the situation was. "The enemy? For real?" The only practice she had with Tarsians were the drones she fought in training. This would a new experience for her and the rest of the fleet as they engaged the real thing for the first time. Her hands clenched the controls harder than necessary, sweat forming on her brow. She was nervous though she would never admit it.
Right before her unit reached the launch deck, reality finally set in. "Am I going out too?" She wondered if she was ready, a junior high student committed to do an adult's job. Was she prepared to defend the Lysithea from the Tarsians? Was she ready to sacrifice herself so that humankind can learn more about this new lifeform?
There was no more time to think as her unit entered space, the front of an epic battleground. The combined thrust from her own jets and the ship's electromagnetic launch system propelled her robot far from the ship. Looking around, she saw similar streaks of light, each another Tracer deployed to face the enemy swarm directly in front of them.
"Should I charge?" Mikako asked herself. She watched as several units gallantly dashed forward, intent on facing their foes head to head. However, new orders came in, dashing those thoughts.
Beep! "Fzzzt! Damn thing! This is Squadron 03's commander. Open the team channel if you haven't done so!"
She flipped the switch, hearing the her squadmates' clamor instantly. Confused and anxious voices floated through. The entire group was without order, chaos reigning.
"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" Miwa's command silenced the channel. "This is your commander! Stay calm!"
"All units are to stay near the ships! DO NOT MOVE FORWARD!" She ordered. "Our job is to defend! Keep an eye out for each other and don't get separ..."
BOOM!!! Mikako couldn't hear the rest as her Tracer violently shook. Looking up, she saw three foriegn objects moving away, the culprits of the hit-and-run. "Tarsians!"
They were silver-blue in color with small white protrusions at the front and sides. Their shapes resembled fat inkblots with two long limbs stretching out behind them. However wierd they looked, the Tarsians moved with ease, racing through space in a speed she could barely match.
Mikako's training kicked in before her thoughts did. Locking onto the targets, the back compartments opened a salvo of missiles. The first Tarsian was hit when it was too slow in making a turn. The second one tried to lose them by hugging an asteriod but two missiles slammed into it, driving the alien into the rock before exploding. The remaining missiles failed to turn sharp enough and crashed into another asteroid, denonating into a giant fireball. Her unit's sensors scanned the rock, confirming the miss but was unable to find the missing enemy.
Suddenly, the surviving Tarsian appeared in front of her robot. Suspended in space, it faced Mikako as if engaging her in a staring contest. So shocked by its appearance, Mikako failed to notice the warning bells ringing in her cockpit or rapid growth of its limbs. The white protrusions on its side erupted from its silver form, rapidly forming a web that slowly enclosed her Tracer. Something like the head of the alien moved closer to her cockpit. A single eye opened at the tip, and it gazed at her.
"AHHH!!!" Screaming in terror, Mikako raised her right arm and blasted the creature away with the built-in guns. Blood, red like hers, sprayed out with each bullet driving into its form. She continued firing even though it showed no signs of movement. The dead creature floated away before exploding into a mess of flesh and blood, its internal body pressure adjusting to the vaccuum of space.
Mikako had never been so frightened before. Tears fell from her eyes as she gasped for air. The eye seemed to look into her, past the Tracer armor and the encapsulated cockpit. She felt it poking at her thoughts, trying to invade her mind.
"Mikako! Mikako!" Desperate calls came through her open communication's channel. Miwa was calling for her. "Are you alright? Answer me!"
BEEP! "Tarsian fleet confirmed at a distance of 120,000. The fleet will evacuate with a light-year warp. All Tracers return to ship immediately!"
"Noboru!" Mikako recalled. "The lag between Noboru and me will be a whole year! I have to send it now!" She looked around her cockpit for her mobile. It caught her eye, floating just out of reach to her left.
"What are you doing Mikako?! Get back to the ship!" Miwa's voice was laced with fear. The four main ships were already preparing for the jump. Most of the supply vessels that accompanied them were gone, moving quickly back to Jupiter. The few that stayed hugged the larger ships, tagging along with its retreat. They would be sitting ducks otherwise.
Mikako continued to reach for her phone. If he had to wait a year for her message, he would surely forget about her... "Please... just a little more. I need to send it to Noboru..."
Her desperate pleas weren't enough.
BEEP! "Tracer 2! Return to the ship immediately!"
BOOM!!! Just after the message, a foriegn burst of energy struck her Tracer. Her own unit resisted the damage, its armor absorbing and reflecting the hit. Inside though, Mikako was thrashed around. Her phone disappeared from view, lost in the brief chaos. Another Tarsian had appeared. It was alone but it was between her and the Lysithea. Sending the message was now set aside, impossible if she couldn't find her cell. Her priorities had shifted to returning to the ship and defeating the alien.
BEEP! "Tracer 2! Return at once! You are the only one left!"
"I have to shoot this one down or I won't make it!" Mikako said. "I have to go back!"
The two exchanged shots, her gun versus the Tarsian's own organic energy. Neither seemed work. Their defenses dispersed the energy too well. Resorting back to its ramming tactics, the Tarsian dove at her robot. A short burst from her thruster put her out of harm's way. Low on bullets, Mikako used her other close-combat weapon. A beam of solid energy extended from the Tracer's arm, buzzing intensely. Mikako swept the beam into the Tarsian's path. The alien, either moving too fast or disregarding the threat, ran straight through it. Seconds later, the Tarsian neatly split apart into two halves and like her previous kill, exploded into a bloody mist.
"Mikako! This ship isn't going to wait! Get back here! Hurry!" She could see that her commander was right. The Lysithea was bathed in an unnatural blue light, ready to leave at any moment. Sparing one more look for her cell phone, Mikako guided her craft toward its home. Tears fell from her eyes as she returned safely to its docks. Then, in a brilliant flash, everything disappeared.
The mobile resting on the floor of her cockpit was found moments later... The message on her phone... was never sent.
- - -
"I'm home"
Noboru kicked off his shoes and stepped into the house. His mother popped out of the kitchen to welcome him.
"Welcome back! But..." She frowned. "Aren't you a bit early? You didn't skip school did you?"
"I quit the kendo club." He replied. Kendo was another thing he promised to Nagamine. It was just another broken promise that would continue to hurt him...
"Oh..." She had no words for him. The response was so sudden and emotionless. Didn't he practice hard in junior high just to be in the kendo club? Why would he quit now once he got in? She then noticed the depressed look on his face. "If anything's bothering you, you could always talk to me..."
"I'm fine... I just... need some rest..." He trudged toward his room, ignoring the concerned look from his mother. There was just too much in his mind. His classmates found him particulary irritable that day, snapping at anyone that got too close. He would have to apologize later...
- - -
Once alone in his room, Noboru put his head down on his desk, trying to sort his feelings. The source of his problems was right next to him, his cell phone looking so innocent with its small unmoving form. Throughout the day, he's been reaching into his pockets, looking for it, only to remember that he left it back home. He didn't realize how reliant he was on it being with him. Giving into habit, he reached for it and checked his inbox, a process he was too familiar with. A disheartening message came up.
Loading...
No new messages have been recieved!
Growling in frustration, he threw the phone on his bed. "Nagamine's doing fine on her own." Noboru told himself. "There's no need for me to wait for her messages."
Yet, there was this nagging thought in his mind. What if she remembered him and never gave up hope? Impossible, he countered. "She's a Select Member. She doesn't have any time to spend of someone like me... back at Earth... Friends are easily made. There was nothing special about him... was there?"
Finally, he steeled his resolve and made a decision that he would later reflect upon. "Nagamine has her own life in space..." He said, shakingly. "I need to find own life on Earth..."
Yet, despite that proclamation, Noboru could not explain why there were tears running down his face...
- - -
BEEP! "The fleet has warped out. No Tarsians are detected. All crew members are to report any damages found. Further instructions will be provided at 21:00"
Exiting her Tracer, Mikako found herself swamped by attention. Medics checked her over, looking for any signs of injury. Mechanics and electricians climbed all over her robot like ants. Looking around the hangar bay, she was shocked to see a number of units damaged. Some were missing, an empty spot where a Tracer should sit. She could see Miwa making her way toward her. Her worries about being reprimanded disappeared when she saw the happy expression on her face.
"Mikako! I'm so glad." She was engulfed in a hug. "I thought we lost you..."
"Sorry for worrying you..." Mikako replied. "What about Hisa? I don't see her here..." She looked at one of the empty slots where her friend was supposed to be.
"I'm sorry Mikako..." The 15-year-old turned only to see her commander in tears. "Hisa... We're not sure if she made it or not... There were several that..."
Her mind froze. She never considered the possibility of death in this mission, especially that of a friend. She recalled the energetic girl who teased her about a non-existent boyfriend. Surely, her friend couldn't be dead. She has to be here...
"I'm sorry Mikako..." Miwa said again, her head bowed in apology.
"No... We have to go back!" She said, her voice growing louder. "We have to go back to save Hisa!"
By now, the commotion had caught the attention of most people. Their eyes just watched in pity as the girl pleaded against her commander.
"We have to go back! She's my friend!" Mikako sobbed. She didn't pull back when Miwa pulled her into another hug. "We have to... go back..."
"Shhh... let it all out..." Miwa too had tears in her eyes. "I'm sure Hisa's fine... She's probably in another ship, got lost in the evacuation and ended up in the wrong place..."
Mikako nodded as she burrowed deeper into the embrace. This was not how it was supposed to be. They were supposed to return to Earth, together. Why did it have to change?
If only they didn't find any Tarsians...
- - -
An hour has passed since their escape. Updates about the fleet condition were still coming in but there was no new information about Hisa, whether she's dead or alive. However, as more time crept by, higher command eventually issued new orders.
BEEP! "In forty-eight hours, this fleet will take a long distance warp to the Sirius Alpha Beta system using a galaxy shortcut anchor. We will fly through 8.6 lightyears. We haven't yet found a safe way back to Earth. Vice Admirial Struman sends this reminder: Don't forget to send mail to your family."
Mikako was alone in some abandoned room. Her eyes focused on the object in her hand, tears falling when she saw the numbers. Weeping, Mikako pressed 'Send'.
Estimated Time of Arrival:
1 Year 46 Days 12 Hours 48 Seconds
"Noboru... Noboru..." Mikako cried as she sent the message. She could only hope that he still remembered her... and their relationship. All around her... Mikako's life was falling apart. Never had she felt so cold and lonely. Curling up into a ball, she continued to cry as the world pressed down upon her, whispering the name of one most precious to her. "Noboru..."
- - -
Loading...
No new messages have been recieved!
Pain gripped his heart as he turned the mobile off. Maybe... he could wait a little longer...
- - -
Month: October
Year: 2047
Loading...
No new messages have been recieved!
It has been months since the last message. Hope... was dwindling...
- - -
Month: November
Year: 2047
"I've decided... I won't wait for Nagamine's messages anymore."
